Coast Guard to conduct ferry drill near Lake Erie Islands

Vehicles drive off the Miller Ferry at dock in Catawba before the ferry makes the 3:30 PM run back to Put in Bay on South Bass Island Saturday, May 5, 2012. (Peggy Turbett, The Plain Dealer)

If you see Coast Guard crews on the Jet Express, Kelleys Island Ferry or Miller Ferry boats Tuesday or Wednesday, don’t be alarmed. It’s just a drill.

The Coast Guard sent out a news release warning the public to be aware and stay clear of the training area. Unites from Marblehead, Detroit and Toledo will take part in the training, performing one drill on each ferry line.

According to the Coast Guard, the drills will help identify:

Points of embarkation and debarkation

Communication-related issues between Coast Guard and the ferry lines

Established procedures from each of the organizations on how they are trained to respond to emergency scenarios

“The overarching goal is to reduce the potential for harm in these, or similar situations,” the Coast Guard said.”